Strong prices at first sale for 2016

Agent Jimmy Kyle watches for some quick bidding on Robert and Vera Dowel’s Hereford steers at the Leongatha VLE Store Sale on Thursday. The top pen sold for $1180. D100216.

The Dowel family celebrated the start of the year with a good sale at Leongatha VLE on Thursday. There to watch the sale of their 84 steers were, from back left, Robert, Zak and Maddison. Front, Jaya, Vera, Natasha, Leesa, Harper and Bee. Bee was out visiting the family from Manchester, UK, and was delighted to spend part of her holiday at the saleyards on a good day for the family. D110216.

During the school holidays there are always lots of kids at the saleyards there to see the finished product of the family’s business. Klayton McGrath, Liam Meyer with uncle Brendan McGrath, were at the saleyards to watch ‘Pa’ buy some steers. D120216.

ROBERT Dowel from Leongatha South kept a close eye on the weaner steer price averages at Hamilton on Tuesday and decided to send in a selection of his stock to the Leongatha VLE based on those good average prices.
In all, he put in 84 Hereford steers into the Koonwarra sale on Thursday.
The first pen (21) averaged 367kg and sold for $1180, the second pen (24) for $1105, the third (18) for $1000 and last (21) for $980 – most were bought by Alex Scott and Staff agent Rob Ould.
“We had to sell a bit earlier than what we would’ve liked because there’s just not enough feed at the moment,” Robert Dowel said.
“We’ve sold half but we’ll keep the others a little longer.
“We saw the sales at Hamilton were good so we decided to put them in for today’s sale.
“Being the first of the year, numbers were down, and I don’t think there were a lot of buyers present today but we’re very happy with the prices.
“We were hoping for an average of around $1000, so it looks pretty good.”
With the halving of his herd, Robert said it was unlikely he would have to bring in feed this season, but like many, he’s hoping there’s some rain soon to help out.
The next sale will be January 13; the sale draw is: Phelan and Henderson, Rodwells, Landmark, Alex Scott and Staff, SEJ, Elders.
The next sheep sale is on Wednesday at 1pm.